Bogotá/Santa Fé-Los Mártires

Santa Fé is the traditional downtown of Bogotá, surrounding the historic district of La Candelaria. Los Mártires is the western end of downtown (west of Kra 10/Caracas), and more rarely visited by foreigners, except to check out its sketchy market for extremely good deals.

Understand
Santa Fe is the seat to glittering skyscrapers and historic museums, and century old churches. Combining both traditional republican architecture and houses, with modern skyscrapers and financial districts, travelers should make a point to visit the great restaurant area La Macarena, and the famed Centro Internacional. The Centro Internacional is one of Bogota's largest financial centers, built in the 1950s it is where the majority of foreign companies and chains were located back then. Today It remains an amazing place to discover with wide avenues, high-rise Cristal skyscrapers, and the National Museum of Colombia; One of the largest museums in Latin America. Take a break from the cosmopolitan life of Bogota, and walk through the calm streets of the La Merced neighborhood. This is like a little enclave of London in Bogota, with Georgian and Tudor style mansions, that have been converted into museums and shops. Highly recommended for all visitors, but especially those from England, if they want to catch a glimpse of their native homeland in Bogota.

In the northwest of Santa Fé, you'll find the International Center, which has the city's main convention center. This is a historic area of the capital district, originally built in the beginning of the 20th century, has seen the great changes of architecture in the city. There are symbols of each era present in this same district, from the great republican era mansions of beginning of the 20th century renowned for their intricate wood, glass, and stone work, to the colonial revival neo-classical and neo-gothic architecture of the 1920s and 1930s characterized by their elaborate designs, Collums, and arches, to the art deco movement well known for its use of geometrical shapes  in the 1950s, and the modernist architecture of 1960s and 70s , to the futuristic and contemporary architecture of the 21st century, characterizes by its tall modern glass and steel skyscrapers. This area of the city has seen it all, and there buildings of each era in the Centro Internacional. For architecture lovers, this area of the city is a must-see destination. Additionally the Centro Internacional also houses the great National Museum of Colombia, another must-see destination for all visitors to the city. Walk around Carrera Septima, and take a sightseeing tour of the historic buildings such as Torres del Parque, or the modern skyscrapers such as the futuristic glass and steel skyscraper; Torre Atrio, or the modern Torre Colpatria, which was a symbol of the city's modernity back in the 20th Century.

The centuries old and historic neighborhood of La Macarena, to the east of Parque de la Independencia, contains the city's Planetarium and Plaza del Toros (Bogota's major bullfigting ringt built in 20th century), is one of the city's quaintest and most delightful places to hang out. It's a quiet, bohemian neighborhood filled with artsy cafes, art galleries, and great area filles with mid-range and upscale restaurants. It's considered one of the most up-and-coming parts of the city, and a great place to visit.



Get in
This is an easy part of town to get to, with stops all along Ave Caracas in the A zone of the Transmilenio. Calle 26 and Las Aguas are the closest stops to La Macarena, although after dark, post-drinking, you might want to call you a cab from your restaurant as a safety precaution. That's a matter of comfort level.

Busetas come here from all over, which makes it rather easy to get on one going the wrong way when leaving! Parque Tercer Milenio is a good landmark that you'll see on the buseta signs.

If you are going to the dodgy yet fun San Victorino market, the optimal Transmilenio stop is Avenida Jiménez, but the De La Sabana and Calle 19 stops are also very close.

See

 * Photography Museum
 * Photography Museum
 * Photography Museum
 * Photography Museum

Buy

 * At San Victorino at the Avenida Jiménez Transmilenio station you will find a plaza surrounded by all kinds of cheap stores selling different types of goods, from clothes to food and pets. If you do go, do not take anything with you, and keep your cash hidden and out of reach of pickpockets; gringos are not well received there and may get robbed. Daytime only, please!
 * At San Victorino at the Avenida Jiménez Transmilenio station you will find a plaza surrounded by all kinds of cheap stores selling different types of goods, from clothes to food and pets. If you do go, do not take anything with you, and keep your cash hidden and out of reach of pickpockets; gringos are not well received there and may get robbed. Daytime only, please!
 * At San Victorino at the Avenida Jiménez Transmilenio station you will find a plaza surrounded by all kinds of cheap stores selling different types of goods, from clothes to food and pets. If you do go, do not take anything with you, and keep your cash hidden and out of reach of pickpockets; gringos are not well received there and may get robbed. Daytime only, please!

Stay safe
This area tends to be generally very safe, at both day and night, especiallt the Macarena, La Merced, and International Center neighberhoods, who are heavily policed. San Victorino (the great market area), can be a little sketchy, especially at night, so don't neglect your personal belongings and be weary for pickpocketers, but the borough tends to be very safe, especially during the day.